Stanford Cardinal Coach Troy Taylor Faces His Alma Mater on Saturday

The Stanford Cardinal will host the California Golden Bears on Saturday.

The 3-7 Stanford Cardinal are hosting the 4-6 California Golden Bears on Saturday. However, there will be some mixed emotions stepping into this week's matchup as the Bears are Cardinal head coach Troy Taylor's alma mater.

Taylor was a star quarterback at California from 1986-89. On top of that, between 1987-89, the now Stanford coach was selected as the Most Valuable Player. In 1989, Taylor lead the Pac-10 in total offense, recording around 253 yards per game. 

Troy Taylor / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In a press conference on Tuesday, Taylor mentioned that playing his school would be a different experience, but he would treat it as a normal matchup.

"I think it is going to be a little strange," Taylor said. "I think once the game gets going it will feel pretty normal, you go in competition mode, but it'll be a different experience for sure."

Taylor is nothing but appreciative for everything that California has done for him in terms of his career, but he recognizes that Stanford is his family now and is ready for the rivalry on Saturday.

"Just being a part of Cal for so long, having such a love for the university and what it's given me in terms of my past and my future and present," Taylor said. "All those thing...went through Cal, so I'll always have a lot of gratitude for the university and the program there. I'll always root for Cal and love Cal. Now being on the other side of it, this is my family, the Stanford Cardinal. I'm excited to be able to go into a battle and it's a great rivalry."

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